Semi-permanent hair color is a great way to enhance your natural hair color, hide gray hair, or introduce some colorful highlights.
Unlike permanent dyes, semi-permanent pigments sit on the surface of the hair. The good news is that semi-permanent color is safer for the skin and hair and easier to apply.
But to make it last longer, you must know how long you should wait to wash your hair after applying semi-permanent color.
How Long Should I Wait After Semi-Permanent Color To Wash My Hair?
Give the semi-permanent pigments at least 48 hours to set in before you wash your hair. Ideally, you should wait 72 hours or more before shampooing your hair to avoid washing out the temporary color.
How long to wait to wash hair after semi-permanent color also depends on the quality of the product. A budget dye will wash out faster than a high-quality product if you don’t wait at least 72 hours.
However, you’re not using a developer to lift your hair cuticles and allow bleach and pigments to get inside the hair.
As a result, a semi-permanent color will not last as long, and the surfactant contained in your shampoo can strip your hair of the color.
How Long Does Semi-Permanent Hair Color Last?
Semi-permanent hair color should last for around six weeks. However, the color will start fading after two to three weeks. Note that your hair care regimen can influence how quickly the color fades.
How to Wash Your Hair to Protect Your Semi-Permanent Color
Check the box of the dye you used or ask your stylist how long to wait to wash hair after a semi-permanent color. In most cases, you’ll have to wait 3 days for the best results.
Since the application can be messy, you can rinse your hair with cool water immediately after using the product, but you should wait a few days before using any hair products.
You can make your color last longer by using products formulated for dyed hair. Dry shampoo can be a good option for removing oil from your hair without washing the color away, and you can also use a conditioner for color-treated hair to help maintain the color.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair With Semi-Permanent Color?
Your color will fade a little more with every wash. Wait as long as possible between shampoos, if possible, up to three days. Wear a shower cap to protect your hair in the shower when you’re not washing it.
Tips for Making Semi-Permanent Dye Last Longer
You can make your semi-permanent color last longer with these tips:
- Avoid heat styling. Blow dryers, curling irons, and other heat-styling tools can lift the color from your hair.
- Always rinse with cool water. Hot water will wash your color out faster.
- Don’t towel dry your hair. Instead, wrap your hair in a soft cotton tee and let it dry slowly to avoid damage.
- Choose a gentle shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair. Don’t hesitate to test different products to see what works best for your hair type.
- Use dry shampoo to go longer between washes.
- Apply a pre-shampoo treatment to bind the color to your hair before washing it.
- Your hair will retain the color longer if it’s properly hydrated. Use a deep conditioner with hydrating ingredients before applying the dye.
- Re-apply the color as needed at home. You can find touch-up kits to target your roots.
If you’re wondering how long to wait to wash hair after semi-permanent color, the answer is 48 to 72 hours. The longer you wait before washing your hair and going between washes, the longer your color will last.